Vintage Alphabet Blocks

A customer came into the shop looking for  a gift for her good friend's new baby girl.  She wanted to give her vintage blocks that spell her name.  The customer knew she had room on a shelf in the nursery for short name.  I needed to  sort through my collection to find the letters. I was excited to find the blocks that she needed. Looking through them, you can see a little bit of  cultural history. Most of  the  blocks date around WWII.

So sweet the images are...

Love these stylized animal blocks...

Silhuettes are just fantastic..

I heard the friend's gift was so very well received. The mom loved the blocks for her daughter  Cici!!

See you...

Christina

Whimsical baby blankets

This week a customer purchased one of my favorite baby blankets and we personalized it. She chose a Twigs and Twirls blanket. The creator, Shawna Dalton, is a fashion designer out of LA. I liked her the first time I met her.   She is very enthusiastic and as colorful as her blankets. Not only are they super soft, but they are also  eco friendly.   She uses recycled cotton and scraps to make them.

So the blanket the customer purchased had to be embroidered with the baby's name. .  I decided the usual classic script font just wouldn't do for this little girl. She needed her own special font for her name.

Together with a cute snail,  the gift is ready to be shipped out...

The little girl's name?   Willow Star...

See you...

Christina

Jewelry Trunk Show at Cici Crib

We are just crazy busy getting ready  for our  jewelry trunk show!  So much  fun!  It will be held in the shop  on Friday Nov. 19th and Saturday Nov. 20th. We have been gathering  jewelry from fantastic artisans from around the country. So sweet this jewelry made from felt.  They are perfect  for little ones...

Bottle cap bracelets are just fun...

Swirly bracelets that can be personalized. Even some made for moms..

Necklaces made from vintage finds...

Budding animal activists will love these recycled bracelets that highlight endangered species..

Owls and other little chicks have joined a larger group of hair accessories...

Don't forget all the accroutrements. Especially for the sparkly girls, the ballerina jewelry holder on top of the "diamond" tufted tuffet...

See you...

Christina

Jewelry Trunk Show at Cici Crib

We will kick off this holiday season with a jewelry trunk show for girls. Six different lines of jewelry, from diamonds to bottle caps!  My new favorite jeweler from the city will be making her way up to the shop. The planning has been in full swing for a while. Check out our postcard that will go out shortly.

I am gathering together some pics of the jewelry  for upcoming blogs...

See you... Christina

It's getting chilly.. Think Plaid!

Ooh it is getting a bit chilly outside. We haven't turned on the heat, but as I write, I am wrapped up in my plaid, cashmere throw. It's cozy warm.  Classic plaids are used in many ways. We see it everywhere in the decorating world. On tables..

On light fixtures...

In bedrooms for both girls and boys...

As wallpaper...

On sheep, oh my...

Plaid at Cici Crib has taken a calmer tone.  New in the shop this week is a little toast to  the   Burberry plaid baby...

Delightful little burps and bibs...

Coming soon are  hooded towels and crib bumpers trimmed in the signature fabric.

See You ...

Christina

Welcome back

Everyone is returning from their various summer journeys. It's time the kids get back to school.  I am back from Pittsburgh for a bit.  So far, everything is going very well with my mom and sister. They are getting stronger every day. My mom has a new future. It is just amazing what the doctors can do.  I am so thankful! The huge weight that lies on my shoulders is beginning to lift.  Life is ok right now... Tina and Beth  have been  great  caretakers of  the little shop.  I am thankful for them too!

We put together a new window display celebrating the return of school. I picked up these cheap vinyl floor tiles from Home Depot to cover the base of the display.

I recently purchased this giant abacus from an auction that was selling items from a schoolhouse from the turn of the century. It is enormous. It would be fabulous in a great playroom or bedroom that needs to fill space because of high ceilings. It would look great on top of a bookshelf. A piece of sculpture.

Bookends came into the shop in late August. The vintage globe also makes a nice addition to the window.

Another set of new bookends...

So we put it all together  along with some other items and made a welcoming display.

See you...

Christina

Blabla Dolls Make Great Gifts

A new shipment from Blabla came into Cici Crib this week. The dolls are just adorable. They make great first birthday presents. Moms even put them on their baby registries. They are knitted from soft  cotton by Peruvian artisans. Blablas are more than just a stuffed animal. They have character. I think that's why kids really do love them.

The new comers this Spring  are Hercule and Josaphine the Elephant.

They will join their friends Bandit the raccoon and Rosalie the pig

The original sock monkey was the inspiration for the Bla bla dolls.  An old fellow  gets a special place at the shop.

See you.

Christina

Sun Protection for babies and toddlers

Wow is the sun so strong these days!   Sometimes the most practical design  is the best solution for protecting baby's skin. Large brim, ties and treated fabric. Sun hats with a UPF +50 have arrived in the shop. From ages 0 to 4 years.

Sunscreen is as important as a good hat. We love the MDMoms products. Their sun block SPF +30 is even safe for newborns.  Nothing is easy about applying sunscreen on a squirmy toddler, but MD Mom's make it a bit easier with their towelettes.

Enjoy the sun.

See you.

Christina

Keepsake Boxes

Keepsake boxes have different meanings for different ages.  Traditionally, for adults we like a nice box to keep our most treasured possessions. I like this box, handmade in Brooklyn. One can put a birth announcement inside the glass lid. It is lined in a chic gray velvet.

For children, a keepsake box can have a slightly different meaning. I remember having a tiny doll's suitcase where I stored all my very important items. I don't know what happened to my orange suitcase, but any day now I bet I will find it at an antique fair. My older son, Justin began collecting rocks from the garden when he was around 2. As he learned about dinosaurs the rocks became fossils and a collection was born. He needed a large keepsake box.  Really a mini display case was more in order. I found one at a flea market and was thrilled because it fit so perfectly on his dressser. He is a teenager now, but his box is still there. So I removed the cool sunglasses and the  ipod and his Beats  that lay on top so I could peer  inside.  Fossils,bones, rocks,shells and even the glass insect we purchased in Venice years ago. All the things that were special to him as a little boy.

My younger son, James still adds to his small keepsake boxes. I see some amber he purchased last year.  He is far more tidy than his brother. He even labeled his "My Display Case."

In the shop there is a large jewelry box for a little girl. The ballerina twirls to the sound of "The Nutcracker".  The top can be personalized.

Of coarse, there are some nice suitcases to store special cars and trains and dolls and all their accoutrements.

A vintage ballet case would work well.

Or  some new suitcases  that are even  large enough to hold sleepover essentials.

Everything to keep your child's special items..

See you

Christina

Poufs

The poufs are in.

Poufs  can add a stylish element. They can be a great alternative to an ottoman. In a nursery , use one with a glider. They  add additional seating that is low enough for kids to use.  Use them in a bedroom at the foot of the bed. Use them in a playroom.

So many places...

Kelly Wearstler used them in her little boy's bedroom.

What's not to love about poufs...

See you

Christina

Soft Cuddly Nursery

I  went to the Stark Warehouse Sale down at the Metropolitan Pavillion looking for a few things. I didn't have much time, but I found some really cuddly, soft, yummy rugs that would be great in a nursery. Like all the blankets, stuffed animals and layettes collections in my shop,  the very first purchasing  criteria in  is the softness factor.  This shag rug was like a cloud.

This rug looked like a pebble path, but is made completely of wool.

This rug looked like a bunch of packing peanuts.

Ok so the rugs aren't the most practical. But given their texture and feel, they are definitely a nesting contender.

So now I am thinking soft. What are the softest things in my shop.

The softest light fixture is the one coming in the shop in April. It is a small version than what is pictured. Chihuly inspired..

Number one mobile is bla bla's The colors are gentle and the lambs are just so sweet.

It's really hard to pick the softest bedding, but today I think it is Lulu Dk baby bedding. 500 Thread count. That lovely cotton sheen. Really stylish and sooo soft.

I would be completely remiss if I didn't mention Lotus Springs layette collection made from milk fiber. I don't think there is any softer.

And finally the softest stuffed animal is by Jelly Cats Bashful Bunny:

See you.

Christina